PURPOSE: To heat a shape memory alloy part directly and efficiently by a method wherein after the lapse of a predetermined time period, an ignition heater is charged with electricity from a battery to effect heating, whereby a heating body of metal powder in close contact with a shape memory alloy is ignited.

CONSTITUTION: A heating body 1 of metal powder is set so as to make close contact with a shape memory alloy to be heated. Electric current is supplied from a battery 4 through a controller 3 to a heater 2 for igniting the heating body 1. The controller 3, after a start switch 5 is turned on, supplies electric current to the heater 2 after the lapse of a predetermined delay time period. The heater 2 is heated to ignite the body 1, as a main heating body. And the alloy is heated to a required temperature by the heat emitted from the body 1 so that a shape restoring action stored beforehand in the alloy is generated.